The 2018 NBA Draft is flush with talent. How are the top five prospects performing early in 2017-18 and why should the New York Knicks be scouting them?
The New York Knicks are in the developing stages of a rebuild. With the likes of Tim Hardaway Jr., Frank Ntilikina, and Kristaps Porzingis locked up long-term, the Knicks are viewed by many as a franchise that’s just one player away.
The Knicks may actually be closer than projected, but if the former proves to be the case, then the 2018 NBA Draft could be the source of sustained success.
While the 2017 NBA Draft is generally viewed as transcendent, the 2018 class has special talent of its own. Between a deep crop of wings and an intriguing rush of dynamic big men, the Knicks will have a laundry list of options near the top of the board.
It’s incredibly early in the 2017-18 season, but the top players in the upcoming draft class have already begun to show flashes of their otherworldly potential.
Cupcake games or not, these early flashes have become an essential part of evaluating prospects. It helps with the formulation of early big boards, yes, but more important is the fact that it enables said players to gauge their progress.
The question is: How are the top prospects in the 2018 NBA Draft performing and why should the New York Knicks be studying them?
5. Mohamed Bamba, Texas Longhorns
Position: Center
Age: 19 (5/12/1998)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 7’0″, 216 pounds, 7’9″
2017-18 Slash Line: .647/.200/.625
2017-18 Season Averages: 21.0 MPG, 14.0 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 3.0 ORPG, 1.0 APG, 4.5 BPG, 1.0 SPG, 0.5 3PM
If the New York Knicks are going to build through the interior, then complementing Kristaps Porzingis with the ideal talent at center will be crucial. That process could be completed with Willy Hernangomez, Enes Kanter, and Kyle O’Quinn, but if New York wants another rising star down low, it will have options in the 2018 NBA Draft.
That list begins with Texas Longhorns center Mohamed Bamba, whose physical gifts are awe-inspiring enough to impress even the most committed of Kristaps Porzingis fans.
Bamba, a New York City native, stands at 7’0” and 216 pounds with an absolutely uncanny 7’9” wingspan. That’s a longer wingspan than the measurements recorded for the likes of LaMarcus Aldridge, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kevin Durant, Rudy Gobert, and, perhaps most applicably, Porzingis.
By playing Bamba at center and Porzingis at the 4, the Knicks would have a rare opportunity to legitimately dominate the offensive and defensive interiors with their mere presence on the court.
Bamba has only played two games, but he’s already looking the part of a future star. He posted 14 points, eight rebounds, two assists, four blocks, and a steal in 23 minutes against Northwestern State, and had 13 points, 10 rebounds, five blocks, and one steal in just 19 minutes against Lipscomb.
By drafting the Longhorns standout, the Knicks would have three physical anomalies: Frank Ntilikina, Porzingis, and Bamba.
4. Michael Porter Jr., Missouri Tigers
Position: Forward
Age: 19 (6/29/1998)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’10”, 216 pounds, 7’0″
2017-18 Slash Line: 1.000/.000/.000
2017-18 Season Averages: 2.0 MPG, 2.0 PPG, 2.0 RPG
One could argue that Michael Porter Jr. is the most significant signing in Missouri Tigers program history. He’s a dynamic athlete with elite size for the small forward position, as well as the skill set to score and defend at an All-NBA level.
Some are more intrigued by Porter than others, but the common theory is that Missouri’s star recruit will at least be a high-quality player at the next level—a player who would fit a need.
The New York Knicks have a void to fill at small forward, and Porter is the type of player whom fans would embrace. Not only can he shoot over the average defender with relative ease, but he has defensive potential that can be fairly compared to that of Oklahoma City Thunder star Paul George.
If Porter were to become a legitimate two-way player in New York, the Knicks would round out its core with defensive-minded players at the three most important positions: Point guard, small forward, and the defensive interior.
Unfortunately, Porter has been sidelined early in 2017-18 with a mysterious hip injury. If the word mysterious seems like an exaggeration, just know that it isn’t at all hyperbolic.
Just read Missouri head coach Cuonzo Martin’s comments on Porter’s injury (h/t Kevin Spain of KSDK.com).
"“I understand you want that information. The truth of the matter is I’m not a doctor. I can’t give you more than that. I don’t want give you more than that. It’s not my job to give that out of respect for Mike and his family. So I think the best thing is (saying) day to day. If I had more I’d give you more.”"
Confusing, but if he can remain healthy, the group of Frank Ntilikina, Porter, and Kristaps Porzingis would be as promising a trio of two-way players as any in the NBA—bar none.
3. Deandre Ayton, Arizona Wildcats
Position: Center
Age: 19 (7/23/1998)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’11.5″, 243 pounds, 7’5.5″
2017-18 Slash Line: .600/.167/.765
2017-18 Season Averages: 29.3 MPG, 18.7 PPG, 11.7 RPG, 2.0 ORPG, 1.7 APG, 1.7 BPG, 1.0 SPG
The Arizona Wildcats have a center who could become the most dominant player in the 2018 NBA Draft. Deandre Ayton is not only one of the biggest players in this draft class, but is as explosive an athlete as anyone in the country.
If the New York Knicks want to build a championship-caliber interior for the future, then pairing Ayton with Kristaps Porzingis would be a massive step towards that status.
Ayton stands at just under 7’0″ and 243 pounds with a near 7’6″ wingspan—reason enough to be intrigued by his NBA potential. That’s even more intriguing when one considers the fact that he’s one of the most explosive leapers at his position.
Between his size, length, and leaping ability, Ayton should be an elite pick and roll target, and an intimidating shot-blocker in the NBA—quite the combination.
What makes Ayton special is what he’s flashed in 2017-18: A contemporary ability to create for himself and others. He passes well out of the post, is capable of finishing over both shoulders, and has expanding range on his jump shot.
A massive body with elite athleticism, a modern offensive skill set, and the tools for defensive dominance, Ayton would be the perfect star complement to Porzingis.
2. Marvin Bagley III, Duke Blue Devils
Position: Forward
Age: 18 (3/14/1999)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’10.5″, 221 pounds, 7’0.5″
2017-18 Slash Line: .627/.250/.389
2017-18 Season Averages: 25.8 MPG, 18.0 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 3.5 ORPG, 1.0 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.8 BPG
The New York Knicks have a dynamic scoring threat in Kristaps Porzingis and a skilled facilitator in Frank Ntilikina. What rings true for every era in NBA history, however, is that teams fail to win multiple championships, let alone one, without the presence of two reliable scorers.
With Porzingis establishing himself as a star-caliber scorer and Tim Hardaway Jr. looking the part of a legitimate No. 3 option, Marvin Bagley III would be the perfect addition as an overqualified No. 2.
Bagley has garnered comparisons to Golden State Warriors superstar Kevin Durant, which is reason enough to explore the validity of his upside. His wingspan is significantly shorter than Durant’s, but he has a prototypical build for a 3 and the physical gifts to potentially grow into a stretch 4, thus enabling Porzingis to move to the 5.
Regardless of which position he ends up playing, Bagley has an undeniable ability to create space with his handle, knock down shots from beyond the arc, and finish above the rim.
Thus far in 2017-18, Bagley has lived up to the hype with a trio of legitimately dominant performances. He posted 25 points and 10 rebounds against Elon, 24 points and 10 boards against Utah Valley, and 19 points, 11 rebounds, and two blocks against Southern.
Bagley left the Michigan State Spartans game early with an injury, but he bounced back with the brilliant display against Southern—further proof that he could be the answer at the 3.
1. Luka Doncic, Real Madrid
Position: Guard/Forward
Age: 18 (2/28/1999)
Height & Weight: 6’8″ & 228 pounds
2017-18 Slash Line (EuroLeague): .463/.329/.873
2017-18 Season Averages (EuroLeague): 26.3 MPG, 17.1 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 4.0 APG, 0.9 SPG, 1.7 3PM
Luka Doncic is earning the reputation of being the best European prospect in NBA Draft history. That doesn’t mean he’ll be a star in the Association, but he’s a dynamic talent who’s breaking the mold of the international circuit by dominating at a surprisingly young age.
If the New York Knicks are aiming to round out the current core with another dynamic playmaker who can create for himself and others, Doncic is as safe a bet as any.
Doncic is a 6’8″ and 228-pound swingman with deep range, an undeniable fearlessness as a scorer, and the rare ability to rebound at a high level from a perimeter position. He’s a straight-line finisher at this stage, but his handle is becoming more dynamic with every passing season.
Perhaps most important of all is the fact that Doncic is relishing the opportunity to thrive under the spotlight, which is a rare strength from an NBA Draft prospect.
Doncic established as much when he helped Goran Dragic dominate EuroBasket and lead Slovenia to its first ever gold medal. He’s picked up where he left off in EuroLeague, outplaying the competition with superstar-caliber performances.
If the Knicks pair Doncic with Frank Ntilikina and Kristaps Porzingis, one thing would be guaranteed: The star trio would be as fundamentally sound as any in the NBA.
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There are no shortage of options, but as it presently stands, Luka Doncic is the top prospects for the New York Knicks to consider.